Travel Tips -
Money

What credit cards do I need to take with
me?

Take your major credit cards, such as, Visa, Master
Card and American Express.

Make sure they are really credit cards and not just
debit cards with a credit card company’s logo
on them. Many locations require a credit card and
will not accept a debit card, so they may have limited
use on your travel.

Leave all your local store credit cards in a secure
location at home; there will be no need to carry
them with you.

Why should I contact my credit card companies
before I leave?

You want to notify them of your trip. They may delay
you if they are unaware you are traveling. The unfamiliar
spending patterns might cause them to suspect that
the card is being used fraudulently and delay your
approvals.

They will be able to explain many of the services
that they can provide while you are on your trip.

How can my credit card company help prepare
me for my trip?

You can arrange to pay bills that will come due
while you are gone.

They will be aware that you will be making charges
from another country.

They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable
their credit card is in that particular country.

They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.

They’ll be able to see if your PIN number
will work in the countries you are visiting. They
can also issue you another PIN number if your current
PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank’s system.

They can explain any services they offer, such as,
extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases.
Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the
United States and will be valid in all the countries
where you’ll be traveling. Also, be sure to
note any other exceptions.

They may need to give you another phone number to
call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number
listed on the back of your card may not work from
foreign locations.

You can find out if they charge a currency conversion
fee, so you can find the most economical card on
which to place your foreign purchases.

Should I use my ATM card while traveling?

Yes, you’ll have access to cash during your
trip so you won’t have to take as much cash
with you and using your ATM card can also be a good
way to get cash in foreign countries.

The ATM will issue money in local currency.

You should exchange at the bank’s wholesale
exchange rate. You may still want to shop around
to different banks since some will charge a high
usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM
fees may be less than others will charge for currency
exchanges.

Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an
ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

What should I know about using travelers
checks?

If the particular brand of travelers checks are
accepted in the country you’ll be visiting.

How widely they are accepted within the countries
you’ll be visiting.

Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers
checks.

The travelers check company’s loss, replacement
and refund policies.

How can I protect my travelers checks while
traveling?

Take the same precautions you would to protect your
cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures
required if you lose your travelers checks. You’ll
also need to make copies of your travelers checks
before you go and keep separate from them the following
information.